Monday, July 30, 2012

Libby Cantrell’s life has gone from bad to worse since her mother’s death. After working in a brothel to support her abusive father, she sees no hope for her future until one cold winter night when she finds the courage to escape. When she collapses in Portersfield, Texas, exhausted, ill, and hungry, Sheriff Cory Muldoon finds her and takes her to the doctor. Against Cory’s better judgment, Seth and Erin Winston take her in and offer her a job as a nanny for their young son. As a minister, Seth sees it as his duty to take care of her. As a deputy, Cory needs to know the truth about her even as he is attracted to the waif of a young woman.

As Cory’s feelings for her grow and winter becomes spring, will he be able to accept her as she is now and truly forget and forgive her sordid past?

Martha Rogers is a former schoolteacher and English instructor. She served as a newsletter editor for the writer's organization, Inspirational Writers Alive! for six years and is the state president. She is also the director for the annual Texas Christian Writer's Conference and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Her first novel Not on the Menu (May 2007) is a part of Sugar and Grits, a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y'Barbo. Rogers has a Master's Degree in Education, worked for twenty-eight years as a secondary teacher, and has worked as a supervisory teacher at University of Houston Clear Lake and as an instructor of English Composition at Houston Community College. Martha and her husband live in Houston, Texas and have worked with teenagers at First Baptist Church for twenty-four years.

My ThoughtsLibby Cantrell has had a hard life ever since her mother's death four years ago. This left her with a grieving father that turned to alcohol and gambling. Then when he lost his job he put Libby to work in a saloon. She refused him and he beat her after that the beatings kept coming. One night he brought a man home and made her service the stranger. This was her life now selling her body and being abused.
She tries to build up her courage to escape her father and the abuse. She can't bear for another man to ever touch her ever again.Deputy Sheriff Cory Muldoon makes his night rounds in Porterfield, Texas and as he enters the alley he finds a young women wrapped in a quilt unconscious and burning up with fever. He carries her straight to Doc Jensen's infirmary. The doc not only finds she has a high fever and a bad cough, he also finds signs of being abuse with new marks and old scars from past beatings. The bruises are not reported to Deputy Muldoon but he could tell she was scared and running from something. He was determined to find out who she was and what she was running from.Libby told the Doctor her name was Elizabeth Bradley because she did not trust anyone to know her real name for fear of her father finding her. Cory's sister was a nurse for the Doctor and came up with a plan to take Elizabeth to her parent's ranch, that way if someone came looing for her she would be well protected. Besides a stranger would not know to look for her on the ranch. Cory was not happy with this idea but how could he convince his mother and sister to abandon this plan.
Will the people of Porterfield protect her once they find out who and what she really is or will they make her leave their town?As bad as Cory wants to protect her he just seems to not trust her. But why does he keep thinking about her? Could he really be developing feeling for this young woman?Women did not have many rights back in these days. They were at the mercy of their husbands and fathers. If they were beaten people would turn their heads. There were no laws against abuse. But some would do whatever they could to stop the abuse. There were also limited jobs available for women and they were looked down on if they tried to become doctors, nurses or lawyers.The people of Porterfield had faith in God and went all out to disciple and minister to one and all without prejudice and if anyone tried to stop them they better change their mind real quick because the whole town will be praying for them.From book one to book four the books just kept getting better. I enjoyed reading about the growth of Porterfield, Texas and also the spiritual growth of the community. I admired the bravery and fortitude of the women especially Ada Muldoon, Aunt Mae and let's not forget Kate Muldoon.I am ready to read more of Martha Roger's books. I hope there will be a book five in this series.I rated this book a 5 out of 5.If you found this review helpful click here.

DisclosureI received a free copy of this book from Charisma House for review. I was in no way compensated for this review.

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Martha Rogers is a former schoolteacher and English instructor. She served as a newsletter editor for the writer's organization, Inspirational Writers Alive! for six years and is the state president. She is also the director for the annual Texas Christian Writer's Conference and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

Her first novel Not on the Menu (May 2007) is a part of Sugar and Grits, a novella collection with DiAnn Mills, Janice Thompson, and Kathleen Y'Barbo. Rogers has a Master's Degree in Education, worked for twenty-eight years as a secondary teacher, and has worked as a supervisory teacher at University of Houston Clear Lake and as an instructor of English Composition at Houston Community College. Martha and her husband live in Houston, Texas and have worked with teenagers at First Baptist Church for twenty-four years.

About Book

Why does everyone think a girl’s only lot in life is to find a husband and settle down?

Kathleen Muldoon is twenty-three and tired of ranch living. Fiercely independent and determined to become a nurse, she has left her family’s ranch to study medicine under Old Doc Jensen andlive in town with her Aunt Mae, who runs a boardinghouse.

Daniel Monroe has just arrived in Porterfield to set up his law practice. Sparks fly when he is introduced to Kate at the boardinghouse, but the initial attraction quickly dissolves into an argument—the first of many. Daniel is enamored with Kate but uncomfortable with her independent spirit and dreams of becoming a nurse.

When trouble erupts between the ranchers and lumberjacks over timber rights, Kate is furious to learn that Daniel has worked out an agreement she believes will destroy her father’s land.

Can they overcome their pride and help each other become everything God wants them to be?

Set in the late 1800s, the Seasons of the Heart series follows the lives of four women and their families, weaving together their stories of faith, life, and love as they bond in friendship only God could orchestrate.

Published October 4th 2011 by Strang Book Group

ISBN 1616384573 (ISBN13: 9781616384579)

My Thoughts

Daniel Monroe moves to Porterfield, Texas to set up his Law Office and for an adventure in the wild west. It was a big adjustment for Daniel to move to Texas. The women , especially Kate Muldoon, were more outspoken and independent than what he was accustom to meeting. He was very attracted to her but she was set on being a nurse and not a homemaker. She would get really riled if anyone mentioned she needed to find a husband, settle down and raise a family. She had other plans for her life and it did not include being stuck with household chores and cooking. But Kate could not deny her heart's feelings for Daniel no matter how had she tried to ignore her him.

I noticed in book one of this series that their way of speaking seemed kind of fake and syrupy. But in book two set in Texas it was more relaxed way of speaking more open and outspoken. In book one I just thought it was the way the author wrote. Well it was only because that is the way people of high society spoke in Connecticut during 1880's. But in Texas they had no need to be that formal they were more laid back in there lifestyle. So a person adapts in many ways to there surroundings and geographics.

I enjoyed this book more than book one in the series. Not saying that I didn't enjoy book one because as I stated it was the difference in there society that kind of threw me off. It was a little like My Fair Lady/Man in reverse. In this book opposites attract, Kate and Daniel are somewhat an odd couple. Life will never be boring with Kate. People can be very stubborn sometimes and think they know better than God as to what is good for them or what is in His plans for them. We have to turn it all over to Him.

I definitly recommend Autumn Song (Seaons of the Heart #2) and Summer Dream (Seaons of the Heart #1).

I rated this Autumn Song 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I won a copy of this book provided by the author. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A military spouse, April has performed the art of homemaking all over the world. Currently, she lives in Georgia with her two children, and USAF spouse. She is unashamedly a child of the King. In her free time, April enjoys reading, solving her Rubiks Cube, and DIY. In no particular order, she dreams of owning a horse, visiting all the national parks, and speaking Italian.

On the frontier, Adela McGirth’s life is simple, rugged, and exactly to her liking. Her greatest concern is whether to marry the settlement’s most eligible young officer. When a distant war among the Natives spills over into a nearby skirmish, life takes a perilous turn. Deep in enemy territory Adela must choose between the man she loves and a baby that has yet to be born.

A peace-loving yet loyal Creek warrior, Totka is forced to align with the extremist Red Stick faction whose purpose is to eradicate the Whites from Creek soil. In the midst of battle, Totka is assigned to protect those he is expected to hate–and kill. Life was simpler before his enemy became a beautiful face with a quiet strength and dignity he cannot resist.

My Thoughts

Adela McGirth is confused as to whether she should marry a young soldier she has know since childhood. She enjoys the attention he gives her and he makes her heart race, but she doesn't know if she wants to spend the rest of her life with him. Besides all that her one of her sisters has spoken many times about wanting to marry him.

The frontier was far from being tamed. The land her family owns is settled but they have been warned that the Creek Indians could possibly attack the white settlement. So all the families in the surrounding area decide to build a fort in hopes it will protect them in case of attack. Adela's father left the fort in order to check on their farm and Adela felt it her responsibility to look after her two sisters and their mother while he was away. This may be harder to do than she could have ever imagined.

Totka, a young Creek warrior is ordered by his brother to protect the the white woman and her daughters. How could he protect the very people he was at war with? He took his responsibility serious and tried to make sure they were kept from harm, especially now that he has lost his heart to the brave young white woman.

I was so pulled into this book! The author made me feel as if I was living through all the pain and sorrow with these women. I continue to be amazed at the faith in God, bravery and fortitude the women had to have in order to stay alive back then.

When I finished reading the book I couldn't wait to read book two, The Warring Spirits.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I won this book on a blog giveaway contest and was provided a copy by the author. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

Rafe Martin is the author of over 20 books that have been translated into many languages including Swedish, French, Xhosa, Zulu, Afrikaans, Korean, Japanese and Portuguese. Speaking as both an author and a storyteller, Rafe has appeared in thousands of schools, libraries, festivals, and conferences in nearly every state—including Alaska and Hawaii—and as far away as Japan.

In schools he works with all grade and ages, kindergarten through college and adult, telling stories and sharing an empowering vision of language, writing, creativity, and imagination. He leaves listeners with an awareness of their own power to create. He offers writing, storytelling and professional development workshops, as well as adult and family performances.

Among the many prestigious festivals, conferences, and institutions at which he has been featured are: The National Storytelling Festival; The Joseph Campbell Foundation Festival of Myth, Folklore, and Story; The P.E.N. American Literary Center, The American Museum of Natural History, The Detroit Institute of Arts, The Buddhist Peace Fellowship, Ganondagan-NYS Historic and Sacred Seneca Site, The Chautauqua Institute, The Three Apples Storytelling Festival, Sharing the Fire Storytelling Conference, The International Storytelling Institute, The Sierra Storytelling Festival, The Vassar College Summer Institute on Children’s Book Publishing, The Talking Island Storytelling Festival of Honolulu, Hawaii-to name just a few!

His keynotes and workshops at library and reading conferences include: The American Library Association, the New York Library Association, library/media conferences in Michigan, Utah, Alabama, Tennessee and New York; The National Council of Teachers of English; and The International Reading Association International Convention.

Rafe Martin’s writing has appeared in Parabola: The Magazine of Myth and Tradition; Blind Donkey; The Sun; Enquiring Mind; Storytelling Magazine; Mountain Record; Zen Bow; Buddhadharma; Tricycle: The Buddhist Review and The Animals’ Voice as well as in the books Who Says? Essays in Contemporary Storytelling; Between the Lines: A Modern Midrash; Peace Tales; Stories for the Spirit; Stories of the Heart; The Ghost and I; Read-to-Tell Tales, More Best-Loved Tales from the National Storytelling Festival and in A Treasury of Stories Recorded Live at the 20th Anniversary National Storytelling Festival.

Rafe has a Master’s degree in English literature from the University of Toronto where he studied with such notable figures as Northrop Frye and Marshall McLuhan. He was the first person to ever be granted Highest Honors in English from Harpur College (now Binghamton University) where he graduated magna cum laude.

Illustrated by David Shannon
David Shannon grew up in Spokane, Washington and graduated from Art Center College of Design in Pasadena in 1983. He has written and/or illustrated over 25 books for children, including the bestselling "Too Many Toys," "A Bad Case of Stripes," and the semi-autobiographical "No, David!," which received a Caldecott Honor. His newest book is "It’s Christmas, David!." David lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Heidi, their daughter, Emma, and their dog, Fergus.

THE ROUGH-FACE GIRL

An award-winning recreation of a classic Native American (Algonquin) Indian Cinderella, this is a mysterious, magical, powerful book. Many of Rafe’s readers call it their favorite of his books, and it has won much recognition in the world of children’s literature. It is the Cinderella we all know, but bears no resemblance to the Disney version.

“There are many versions of the Cinderella story,

but none is more eloquent or

affecting—or more strikingly illustrated.”

—Parent’s Magazine

My Thoughts

In a small Indian village by Lake Ontario there was a humongous wigwam and in this wigwam lived a wealthy, handsome Invisible Being and his sister. Every single woman in the village wanted to marry the Invisible Being because of his great wealth.

Also in this village lived a poor man and his three daughters. Two of the daughters were very self-centered and made the third daughter do the chore of tending the fire. From tending the fire the young woman had burns and scars all over her hands, arms and face because of sparks flying up and on her. Her sisters teased her and called her Rough-Face Girl.

One day the two sisters dressed up in the finest their father could provide and they went to seek out the invisible being to become his bride. But they first had to answer his sisters questions correctly.

The third sister has faith that she will marry the Invisible One. So she dresses in what little her father has to offer, which was far less than her sister had.
Which of the young women do you think the handsome Invisible One should choose? Why?

This is a different twist on the Cinderella tale that we all know well. The story in this book is an Algonquin Indian Cinderella tale.

I enjoyed this story with the Rough-Face Girl. Most people only saw her scars and had no idea what beauty she held within.

How many times have you looked at someone and not wanted to be their friend just because of their outer appearance?

Friday, July 20, 2012

Tracie Petersonis an award-winning, best-selling author of over 85 books. Having given her heart to Jesus at the young age of six, Tracie has always felt called to some form of ministry, and writing fulfills that mission field.

Tracie received her first book contract in November, 1992 and saw A Place To Belong published in February 1993 with Barbour Publishings' Heartsong Presents. She wrote exclusively with Heartsong for the next two years, receiving their readership's vote for Favorite Author of the Year for three years in a row.

In December, 1995 she signed a contract with Bethany House Publishers to co-write a series with author Judith Pella. Tracie now writes exclusively for Bethany House Publishers.

Throughout her writing career Tracie has found time to speak at writer's conferences where she has a special heart for new authors. She is often joined by her husband Jim, whose background in history offers new authors insight into research. Besides teaching at conferences, Tracie also at one time managed Barbour Publishing's Heartsong Presents book line - overseeing the production of 52 books a year.

Tracie was awarded the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for 2007 Inspirational Fiction and her books have won numerous awards for favorite books in a variety of contests.

Making her home in Montana, this Kansas native enjoys spending time with family--especially her three grandchildren--Rainy, Fox and Max. She's active in her church as the Director of Women's Ministries, coordinates a yearly writer's retreat for published authors, and travels, as time permits, to research her books.

When Laura Marquardt first meets Brandon Reid, their encounter is anything but pleasant. But when the two are seated together at a dinner party, they soon find that they share similar interests--Laura desires to educate blacks, and Brandon, as a white officer over colored troops, eagerly supports her cause.

When Laura's sister, Carissa, marries her Confederate beau, Laura finds herself in a difficult situation when she overhears plots to kill Union soldiers. Though in her heart she feels she should share this information with Brandon, Laura fears she will betray her sister's trust and possibly endanger her sister's life. And when Brandon's motives for pursuing her come into question, her heart is even more conflicted. Where is God leading her?

1865 in Corpus Christi, Texas you would think that people were glad the war between the North and South was over. Some were glad although they were still suffering the after effects of the war.

Laura Marquardt hurried along the street when she was confronted by some scruffy looking Confederate soldiers. She recognized one of the men. She thought if she was polite they would not see her fear. But they cursed her for being a Union supporter and a traitor to the South and accosted her. A couple of Union soldiers came upon them and ordered them to release the lady. The rebels did not cotton to taking orders from Black Union soldiers so they just laughed and ran. A White Union officer by the name of Captain Reid approached and boldly took matters in his hands. Without any further ado he dismissed the soldiers and proceeded to reprimand Laura sending her on her way not even allowing her a chance to explain the situation.

Laura and Captain Reid crossed each others paths again at a social gathering for Local Union Supporters. It became very clear to the Captain that he had wrongly misjudged Laura Marquardt as being a disgruntled Confederate sympathizer. Laura in a rather playful and straightforward manner set him straight about which side she supported. Finding they have the same goal which is to bring the North and the South together as one peaceful nation. Then there is a spark between the two of them that refuses not be ignored.

They come together to bring to justice several renegade Confederates one in particular a suspected murderer.

This is a story filled with intrigue and romance. Women had to be courageous back then and that is exacty how the author portrayed Laura and her sister in this novel.

I loved what the author wrote about the meaning of the books title, TOUCHING THE SKY.

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Melanie Dobson has written ten contemporary and historical novels including five releases in Summerside's Love Finds You series. In 2011, two of her releases won Carol Awards: Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa (for historical romance) and The Silent Order (for romantic suspense).

Melanie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. Prior to her writing career, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family and a publicist for The Family Channel. She later launched her own public relations company and worked in the fields of publicity and journalism for more than fifteen years.

Melanie and her family enjoy their home in the Pacific Northwest. The entire Dobson family loves to travel and hike in both the mountains and along the cliffs above the Pacific.

When Melanie isn't writing or playing with her family, she enjoys exploring ghost towns and dusty back roads, line dancing, and reading inspirational fiction.

As the Gilded Age comes to a close, Elena Bissette's once-wealthy family has nearly lost its fortune. The Bissettes still own a home on fashionable Mackinac Island, where they will spend one last summer in the hope of introducing Elena to a wealthy suitor. But Elena is repulsed by the idea of marrying for money.

Quickly tiring of the extravagant balls, Elena spends most evenings escaping back into Mackinac's rugged forest. There she meets Chase, a handsome laborer who shares her love for the night sky. The two begin to meet in secret at an abandoned lighthouse, where they work together to solve a mystery buried in the pages of a tattered diary.

As Elena falls in love with Chase, her mother relentlessly contrives to introduce her to Chester Darrington, the island's most eligible bachelor. Marriage to the elusive millionaire would solve the Bissettes' financial woes, and Elena is torn between duty and love.

Signed copies of Melanie’s Love Find You books: Love Finds you in Nazareth, Pennsylvania, Love Finds You in Amana, Iowa, Love Finds You in Homestead, Iowa, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana.

Hurry, the giveaway ends on 8/4/12. The winner will be announced on 8/6/12 on Melanie’s blog!

Just click one of the icons below to enter. Tell your friends about Melanie's giveaway on FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

My Thoughts

1894, Elena Bissette feels obligated to marry into wealth because she knows this is what her parents expect. Well, that is what her mother expects. Her father seems to only wish his little girl be happy with the man she chooses to be her husband.

Click on image for more info
on the history of the island.

Every summer Elena and her parents go to Mackinac Island, Michigan to stay in their vacation cottage, which is really more like a mansion. Her mother is so excited for Elena to meet Chester Darrington. He is a very sought after unattached, handsome and extremely wealthy. Quite the catch. But rumors are spreading that Elena's mother is out to snag him to marry her daughter just for his wealth. Which is true. But Elena only attends all the tea parties and social gatherings to appease her mother. Elena should have been an actress because she can put on a good show of a proper lady.

Now Elena would much rather wander through the woods after dark and visit the islands old lighthouse. The lighthouse gives her more of a view of the island but most of all to the stars. One day she finds a very handsome gentleman in her lighthouse and he has found her drawings. When he sets his eyes on Elena he is mesmerized by her beauty. As they spend more time together at the lighthouse their hearts recognize feelings are strong for each other. But they did not share the truth about their identities. She had no idea he was the wealthy catch her mother was after and he had no idea she was the daughter of the woman that was out to trap him into marriage that was of no interest to him. What a mess!

There has been said that there is a ghost in the lighthouse. So much sorrow and tragedy is the tale about a woman and her two small children in the early 1800's during the British invasion. The woman's husband is missing and her cries for him can be felt by Elena each time she enters the lighthouse.

Another interesting fact that the author provided about the island was that even to this day no automobiles are allowed on the island.

Love Finds You in Mackinac Island, Michigan will be another of my favorites. The author put her talent of writing together with historical facts and wrote a wonderful novel. I must say I have never heard of Mackinac Island but after reading this book I will remember it fondly along with the characters in this book.

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

Disclosure
I received a free copy of this book for review by Litfuse/Summerside. I was in no way compensated for this review. It is my own opinion.

At Clash of the Titles, we're interested in the Christian Fiction that's making a splash, flying onto the scene in a burst of attention-grabbing technicolor and gripping our imaginations. Every month we're seeing batches of new stories hit the shelves and here's one that has also hit our hearts.

Dineen Miller's The Soul Saver recently competed on our website and garnered a lot of attention there. We just had to know more about this book and its author. Here's what we discovered.. .

About Dineen Miller:

Dineen Miller readily admits that one of the greatest lessons she’s learning about life is that there’s purpose in our trials. It’s all about trusting God and putting our hope in Him. Her favorite stories are of the miracles God has wrought in the lives of her family.

Through this lens she also believes her years as a youth counselor, a Stephen Minister, a women’s ministry leader, and a small group leader fuel her desire to ignite the souls of others through words of truth.

In addition to writing for Spiritually Unequal Marriage, Dineen has won several prestigious awards for her fiction, and her devotional writing has been featured in Our Journey and Christian Women Online Magazine . She’s also a C.L.A.S.S. Communicator and has been featured on the Moody Radio Network, Family Life and Focus on the Family Radio.

Married for 24 years to a guy who keeps her young, she lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two adult daughters, who surprise her daily with their own creativity.

She is the co-author of Winning Him Without Words: 10 Keys to Thriving in Your Spiritually Mismatched Marriage and the author of The Soul Saver.

Q & A with the Author

1. What inspired the story for The Soul Saver?

My own life. I wanted to write a fictionalized account of how God can work in amazing ways in our lives when we trust Him. The Soul Saver is that story—of how Lexie Baltimore desires to love her unbelieving husband in the way God is calling her to and the battles she faces with the enemy because she’s on the front lines praying for the salvation of her husband. I wrote this book for all the Lexies out there, to encourage and remind them that we’re not alone. God is there working in ways we can’t even imagine!

2. A suspense novel in the Christian industry can often be difficult to write. What helped you overcome those obstacles?

Staying true to the message I felt God calling me to write. I attended the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) conference in 2008 and by the end of the week, I left with a clear understanding that God wanted me to write this book. I stayed faithful to that calling and trusted God to find a place for it. Some in the industry either had reservations with the issue of being spiritually mismatched or with Tobias, a demon, who is simply a tool I used to show the spiritual warfare that is common in spiritually mismatched marriages. At one point I wondered if I would have to take him out, but my amazing agent, Rachelle Gardner, encouraged me to hold true to my story and she was right. The right timing and publisher did come along. I will be forever grateful to Barbour Books for giving The Soul Saver a chance.

3. What made you want to write in this specific genre?

I love intricate stories and characters. Suspense wrapped with the supernatural is something I’ve always loved to read. The amazing thing is, we live in a world full of suspense and the supernatural every day. My favorite stories have and always will be of the miraculous, of how God has provided, made His presence known, saved a lost soul because that is what’s really happening around us if we just take the time to notice it. God loves to wow us. I hope I can do a little of that to my readers too. They deserve it.

4. Do you have any future projects going on?

I have a novella coming out in August, A Love Meant to Be, that’s part of a collection titled Rendezvous in Central Park. I have the distinct privilege and honor of writing with Ronie Kendig, MaryLu Tyndall, and Kim Vogel Sawyer, three seasoned and very talented authors. I love this story because it’s a tribute to my father, a Vietnam vet who passed away in 2010. These stories span from the Civil War to WWII to Vietnam to present day conflict in Afghanistan.

About The Soul Saver:

When Trusting God Is the Only Way OutOn an average day, God started her missions in her sculpting studio, revealing the face of the person she would meet at the grocery store, bank, or playground. The goal was always the same. Reach the lost, bring someone back to God, restore hope. But then came the tough missions—the ones that sent Lexie Baltimore into real battle. And she had a few battle scars to show for it.

Tormented that she can’t reach the one person she loves the most—staunch atheist and husband Hugh—Lexie finds her own hope waning when the battle comes to her doorstep in the shape of a pastor who represents everything she wants and everything her husband is not—a godly man.Then false accusations and rumors spin her husband and family into a precarious position, and the only way out is to trust God. But how can she convince her husband when she’s struggling to trust God herself?

This time Lexie is the mission.

What others are saying:

“Deep, compelling, a beautifully written story of faith, hope, and the saving power of love. Dineen Miller hits home with this debut novel. The Soul Saver will stay with you for days after reading the last page.”

— Tosca Lee, NY Times bestselling author of Havah: The Story of Eve“When you combine stellar writing, intriguing characters, and a fascinating plot the result is a story like The Soul Saver. It’s the kind of novel I wish I had written.”

— James L. Rubart, bestselling author of ROOMS, Book of Days, and The Chair

Monday, July 16, 2012

2012 Blog Tour Travel the virtual "Road to the Christys" blog tour from Mon., July 9 to Tue., July 20th, 2012. Blog tour participants will be celebrating the 2012 Christy Award nominees leading up to the Christy Awards banquet in Orlando, July 16, and the winners after they are presented. Follow @ChristyAward, or like www.facebook.com/ChristyAward for a link to the first stop on the "Road to the Christys" blog tour.

Visionary

About Author

I'm a husband, dad, author, marketing guy--in that order, and live in the Pacific Northwest.

First novel, ROOMS, released April 2010. Second, BOOK OF DAYS, hits shelves January 2011.

Third, THE CHAIR will release fall of 2011.

The dream came true."

About Book

If someone gave you a chair and said it was made by Jesus Christ, would you believe them?

When an elderly lady shows up in Corin Roscoe's antiques store and gives him a chair she claims was crafted by Jesus, he scoffs. But when a young boy is miraculously healed two days after sitting in the chair, he stops laughing and starts wondering . . . could this chair heal the person whose life Corin destroyed twelve years ago?

As word spreads of the boy's healing, a mega-church pastor is determined to manipulate Corin into turning over the chair. And that mysterious woman who gave him the piece flits in and out of his life like a shadow, insinuating it's Corin’s destiny to guard the chair above everything else. But why?

Desperate, he turns to the one person he can trust, a college history professor who knows more about the legend of the chair than he'll reveal. Corin's life shatters as he searches for the truth about the artifact and the unexplained phenomena surrounding it. What’s more, he's not the only one willing do almost anything to possess the power seemingly connected to the chair.

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started 'The Chair' - because this is the first book that I've read by James L. Rubart - but I'm pleased to say that I really enjoyed it! It had suspense, drama, and a good story.

If you were given an ancient-looking chair and told Jesus Christ made it, would you believe it?

Corin Roscoe, the owner of an antiques store, is given a chair and told it was made by the most talented craftsman the world has ever known. He is then taken on an intense journey of grief, joy, sorrow, and restoration.

He lives with guilt over pain from the past, deals with claustrophobia, and is afraid of going in water because of something that happened when he was young.

I found many parts of 'The Chair' weird (which I think was the intent) and I felt as though I was reading a mystery. There was so much going on, but until the end you didn't know the full intent (and even now I'm still slightly confused). I feel there should have been at least one more chapter (or at least an epilogue) - the ending didn't feel like the end (if that makes sense).

I found the characters intriguing. People you thought were friends, were foes. And people you thought were against Corin, were actually for Corin.

'The Chair' puts a whole new light on James L. Rubart's books. I now plan to read other books by him in the future. I recommend this if you enjoy reading books that have a slightly weird plot, but are really interesting (kind of like Ted Dekker's books).

Friday, July 13, 2012

2012 Blog Tour Travel the virtual "Road to the Christys" blog tour from Mon., July 9 to Tue., July 20th, 2012. Blog tour participants will be celebrating the 2012 Christy Award nominees leading up to the Christy Awards banquet in Orlando, July 16, and the winners after they are presented. Follow @ChristyAward, or like www.facebook.com/ChristyAward for a link to the first stop on the "Road to the Christys" blog tour.

YOUNG ADULT

Melanie Dickerson is an award-winning author who earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama. She has taught in Georgia, Tennessee, Germany and the Eastern European country of Ukraine. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA), she now spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.

Melanie's Faith

Jesus Christ is the Lord of my life. He has saved me from my sin and I live for Him. I love to talk to people about what He can do in your life, if you open yourself to His love. God is in the healing and saving business. Jesus came to seek and save those who were lost, to bind up the broken hearted, to heal the sick, and to be our best friend. I believe He is the one and only Son of God and I would be happy to share Scripture and experiences with anyone who is interested. Please go to my Contact page for information about how to get in touch with me.

Now here are a few of my favorite Bible verses*:

No man can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for him. Psalm 49:7

I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25

“The Redeemer will come to Zion,to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 59:20

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' ... I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God.” John 1:29-30 & 34

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Titus 2:11-14

The Lord loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of his unfailing love. Psalm 33:5

We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord,
even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:20-22

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:19-24

Why are you downcast, O my soul?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
for I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11

2012 Christy Award Finalist, The Merchant's Daughter!

The Merchant's Daughter

An unthinkable danger. An unexpected choice.

Annabel, once the daughter of a wealthy merchant, is trapped in indentured servitude to Lord Ranulf, a recluse who is rumored to be both terrifying and beastly. Her circumstances are made even worse by the proximity of Lord Ranulf's bailiff—a revolting man who has made unwelcome advances on Annabel in the past.

Believing that life in a nunnery is the best way to escape the escalation of the bailiff's vile behavior and to preserve the faith that sustains her, Annabel is surprised to discover a sense of security and joy in her encounters with Lord Ranulf. As Annabel struggles to confront her feelings, she is involved in a situation that could place Ranulf in grave danger.

Ranulf's future, and possibly his heart, may rest in her hands, and Annabel must decide whether to follow the plans she has cherished or the calling God has placed on her heart.

For years Annabel's family shirked their duties and now that Lord Ranulf is moving to town, they must pay for their crimes. Unfortunately, the responsibility falls to Annabel. She must marry the evil bailiff or become Lord Ranulf's servant. Choosing the lesser of two evils, she packs her bags and begins three years of indentured servitude.

But life with Lord Ranulf is not as horrible as she feared. Though the man has a horrible temper and is scarred and disfigured, he allows Annabel to read from the bible, something she has always dreamed of doing. But when Annabel is attacked and a man gravely injured, everything good hangs in the balance, including Annabel and Lord Ranulf's futures.

Oooh, I love a good romance novel! And Melanie Dickerson writes very sweet romance novels. But they're fairytales, and fairytales always include an evil villain and danger. The Merchant's Daughter did not disappoint. I loved Annabel and Lord Ranulf's characters. I loved the initial misunderstandings, and I especially loved how it all worked out in the end. If you love fairytale romances, this one is a must read. And if you're looking for a sweet, clean teen read, this would make a perfect gift, as would Dickerson's first novel The Healer's Apprentice. Highly recommended.

Jill, I want to thank you for sharing your review of The Merchant's Daughter. It was very impressive. Patricia

Melanie,Congratulations on being a finalist for the 2012 Christy Award. Thanks for providing all of us with some amazing books to treasure. Patricia

Thursday, July 12, 2012

2012 Blog Tour Travel the virtual "Road to the Christys" blog tour from Mon., July 9 to Tue., July 20th, 2012. Blog tour participants will be celebrating the 2012 Christy Award nominees leading up to the Christy Awards banquet in Orlando, July 16, and the winners after they are presented. Follow @ChristyAward, or like www.facebook.com/ChristyAward for a link to the first stop on the "Road to the Christys" blog tour.

First Novel

and

Contemporary Stand-Alone

Author Ginny Yttrup

The opportunity to write is the fulfillment of a life-long dream. Words were my salvation as a child, until I met my true Savior, the Word. Through the tumultuous years of my childhood, I lost myself in the stories I read. There, in the world of fiction, I escaped the trauma I faced and found a place of safety and rest. Today, I enjoy the gift of combining my two loves—I write words that, I pray, reflect the glory of Jesus Christ.

As I write, speak, and work as a life coach, my prayer is that God will use my words to replace the lies so many believe about themselves with the truth of His unconditional love and grace. To see someone grasp, perhaps for the first time, the truth of God’s love, is truly an honor. Through a relationship with the Truth, Jesus Christ, the bonds of shame are loosed and freedom abounds!

When I’m not working, I love spending time with my two college-age sons or with friends. If I can spend time outdoors with those I love, it’s even better. And I thoroughly adore my dog, Bear. He’s a book lover too. (I’ll let you in on a secret–Bear has a starring role in my third novel.)

I’d love an opportunity to get to know you. Drop me a note and tell me a little about yourself. If you’re interested in learning more about what I do as a coach, visit http://www.crossingscoaching.com.

May you know the freedom of God’s love as you live in His truth…

Blessings to you.

About Book

"I collect words. I keep them in a box in my mind. I'd like to keep them in a real box, something pretty, maybe a shoe box covered with flowered wrapping paper. Whenever I wanted, I'd open the box and pick up the papers, reading and feeling the words all at once. Then I could hide the box. But the words are safer in my mind. There, he can't take them."

Ten-year old Kaylee Wren doesn't speak. Not since her drug-addled mother walked away, leaving her in a remote cabin nestled in the towering redwoods-in the care of a man who is as dangerous as he is evil. With silence her only refuge, Kaylee collects words she might never speak from the only memento her mother left behind: a dictionary.

Sierra Dawn is thirty-four, an artist, and alone. She has allowed the shame of her past to silence her present hopes and chooses to bury her pain by trying to control her circumstances. But on the twelfth anniversary of her daughter's death, Sierra's control begins to crumble as the God of her childhood woos her back to Himself.
Brought together by Divine design, Kaylee and Sierra will discover together the healing mercy of the Word-Jesus Christ.

Well, this book left me a little speechless. Funny since it's about words, right? I loved the quirky way the main character, Kaylee, was obsessed with words as a way of coping with stress, yet the lack of words (speech) due to her trauma was a large obstacle in her life. Some parts of the story reminded me a little of the movie Nell, starring Jodie Foster. But this novel had a unique angle to it that I haven't seen in many books -- especially not Christian books.

At first I was a bit overwhelmed with some of the details, but those details also made the story more powerful. I suppose my background of working with hundreds of sexually abused children didn't help because it made me think of all of the Kaylees that I'd gotten to know over the years and reminded me of their horrible situations prior to CPS removing them from their sexually abusive families. Like Kaylee, those children were also very conflicted regarding their families and loyalties. The author expertly described the mindset of an abused child in this story, and because of this, I think this novel should be required reading for all foster parents who are considering taking a sexually abused child into their home. Then when the child does something that seems disloyal, mean, or that doesn't make sense hopefully they will realize it's not about them (foster parents,) but it's just part of the healing process.

Not only was I impressed with this story in a general sense, but the writing, plotting, and pacing were also very good. Women who have been sexually abused might find themselves reliving some of their trauma while reading the first part of Kaylee's story, but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Like in this novel, the truth of what happened needs to be dealt with in order to heal...and to set the person held captive by the painful memories free from those chains.

There are so many good things that can result from reading this book. I found it deep, insightful, and a quality story worthy of an award. The fact that the author says that she was Kaylee makes it that much more meaningful to me. This novel is a great example of how God uses our pasts to help others. He can make beauty from the ashes of our lives. I can see this book helping a lot of broken people, and for that reason (plus the fact that it's great story) this book is making my top fiction list for 2011. Check it out. You'll be glad you did.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

2012 Blog Tour Travelthe virtual "Road to the Christys" blog tour from Mon., July 9 to Tue., July 20th, 2012. Blog tour participants will be celebrating the 2012 Christy Award nominees leading up to the Christy Awards banquet in Orlando, July 16, and the winners after they are presented. Follow @ChristyAwardd, or like www.facebook.com/ChristyAward for a link to the first stop on the "Road to the Christys" blog tour.

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

Julie Klassenloves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She has won the Christy Award: Historical Romance for The Silent Governess (2010) and The Girl in the Gatehouse (2011) which also won the 2010 Midwest Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

To escape a scheme to marry her off to a dishonorable man, Margaret Macy flees London disguised as a housemaid. If she can remain unwed until her next birthday, she will receive an inheritance, and with it, sweet independence. But she never planned on actually working as a servant. And certainly not in the home of Nathaniel and Lewis Upchurch--both former suitors.

As she fumbles through the first real work of her life, Margaret struggles to keep her identity secret when suspicions arise and prying eyes visit Fairbourne Hall. Can she avoid a trap meant to force her from hiding?

These are just the main characters there are many more that make up this story.

Margaret Elinor Macy was determined to come up with a plan to flee her step father's iron rule. Sterling Benton had not only taken over the financial responsibilities of his new family he also chose to lock away all the families jewels. He also has plans to marry off Margaret to his puppet of a nephew, Marcus Benton, in order go get control of a very large fortune Margaret is soon to inherit. She overheard Sterling and Marcus scheming to go as far as compromising her virtue forcing her to marry Marcus. This she would not allow to happen she had to find a way to escape. She was determined to seek out an old friend Lewis Upchurch to get his help to her hide away from Sterling. When she was home alone she took money from her step father's room which resulted in her maid, Joan, being accused of the theft and was fired. Margaret convinced the maid to help her escape and give her safe haven. She decides to disguise herself by wearing a wig and coloring her eyebrows darker along with wearing a pair of her father's old eyeglasses. Margaret no longer went by her real name. She is now to be known as Nora Garret and plans to hire out as a servant to support herself until she comes into her inheritance. She had no clue as how to be a servant. But she had no other recourse.Nora is hired as a house maid by Mr. Hudson, a house steward. When she nears her new place of employment she is shocked to see it is none other that Fairbourne Hall home of the man she spurned, Nathaniel Upchurch and his brother Lewis. Along with their sister, Helen, mistress of the Fairbourne Hall.
She fears she will be recognized and sent back to face whatever her step father has in store for her. But to her amazement she is able to keep secret from everyone. Are does she?

It was really diffucult for me to know just how much of the story I should share in this review. There is so much secrecy among all of the characters, along with manipulation and intrigue. Of course there is a chance for some romance in the story also. It is said that the author's writing is comparable to that of Jane Austen's and I whole heartily agree.

There are many interesting quotes in the book. This is one of many...

Housemaids were meant to be invisible,

and all cleaning had to be performed either before

the family to up or while they were absent.

As one housemaid later wrote.

"It was assumed, I suppose,

that the fairies had been at the rooms."

Trevor May, The Victorian Domestic Servant

I highly recommend this book.

I rated this book a 5 out of 5.

DisclosureI was given a free copy of this book for review by Bethany House Publisher/Litfuse. I was in no way compensated for this review, it is my own opinion.

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